Computing cheese-cutter.



- nora smzo. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907. J. A. SHUTZ & M. L. KIRKMAN. I COMPUTING CHEESE CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.28, 1907.

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PATENTED JIUNEJZB, 1907. L. KIRKMAN.

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rn: NORRIS PETERS pan, WASHINGTON, lz'crinrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. SIIUTZ AND MADISON L. KIRKMAN, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO STANDARD PATTERN & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION.

COMPUTING CHEESE-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1907.

III

i0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN A. SHUTZ and MADIsoN L. KIRKMAN, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Computing Cheese-Cutters, of which the following is a full, clear, and accurate specification.

Our invention relates to checse-cutters which comprises a base carrying a horizontal revoluble table with means for the rotation of the table step-by-step, a vertically operating pivoted handle carrying a knife or blade, a

scale-bar with means limiting the operationof the controlling lever thereover, and a computer fordetermining certain data whereby the limiting of said operation or rotation of the table may be determined with accuracy and precision.

The object of our invention, broadly stated, is to provide a computing cheese'cutter of new and novel construction which will be neat and attractive in appearance, strong" and durable in construction, capable of a wide scope of usefulness and efiiciency, adapted to operate with accuracy and precision, will be easily operated and controlled, and which can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low price.

More specifically our object is to provide an easy and accurate method of computation for connection with cheese cutters whereby, after first ascertaining the total weight of a cheese, means are provided for determining the number of half-pounds into which it will divide, also the number of smaller amounts it will divide into, as for instance five-cent slices; and with means for adjusting certain of the parts of the invention whereby the operation of a lever may be gaged to give the results desired without special care on the part of theoperator.

Other objects and particular advantages will be made apparent in the course of the ensuing specification.

In planning this invention a perfect harmony of all of the parts and an absolute reliability of the working, even under the most unfavorable conditions, is provided for as is fully shown in our preferred. construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whlch,

Figure 1 1s a side elevation of our 1nvention, and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a diagram of the tabular scale; Fig. 4 is a diagram of the dial for the computer; Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of the computer, and Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the same as taken on the line :2cr of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the face of the scale-bar. Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the half-pound stop, and Fig. 9 is a View in section of the live-cent stop. All of said views, except the first two and the seventh, are practically full size.

Similar indices denote like parts throughout the several views.

In this instance the letter A designates the base of the device which is adapted to rest on a counter or the like, and B denotes the round table mounted on said base and adapted to rotate horizontally in one direction, as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2; this rotary movement of the table being accomplished by a step-by-step clutch mechanism, not shown, as no claim is made thereto in this application and therefore a showing thereof at this time would add more to ambiguity than to clearness of comprehension, suflice it to say that said movement is accomplished. by the operations of the lever C which projects out through a slot in the front of the base A as shown. It should be stated that said slot in the base A extends from the point a to the point 1), between which points said lever is adapted to'operate horizontally in the usual manner.

The numeral 1 denotes our scale-bar, formed in the arc of a circle, being secured.t0 the base A and projecting out horizontally from the lower edge of said slot and extending between said points a and b, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

On the face of the scale-bar 1 are provided a series of fourteen graduation marks each characterized by a permanent numeral, viz: (4077 (K 5017 [1607) H 70)) ((8077 [9077 ((12 077, 11 3077, 1407): {I 77 anci arranged progressively from right to left, the distance between each two of said marks decreasing from right to left in a progressive ratio. The spaces between said marks may be subdivided into minor divisions if desired for convenience. It should be noticed that the lever C is adapted to travel over and almost in contact with the face of the scale-bar, while describing the same curvature thereof.

The numeral 2 denotes that which we term for convenience the half-pound stop, shown in Fig. 8, which is adapted to span the scalebar 1 and to be adjustably secured thereto by the screw 2 whereby said stop may be locked at the point desired. Extending up and integral with the inner end of the stop 2 is a flange 2 adapted to close said slot in the base A at the point where it may be located, for the purpose presently appearing.

The numeral 3 denotes, what we term for convenience the five-cent stop shown in detail in Fig. 9, which is also adapted to span the scale-bar 1 and to be adjustably secured thereto by a screw 3 whereby said stop may be securely locked at the point desired. The upper face of the stop 3 is level whereby the lever C may pass thereover, as is indicated in Fig. 1.

Rising from the rear edge of the base A, opposite the center of the scale bar 1, is the double hanger D in which is pivoted the base E of the handle E. Secured to and extend ing down from the handle E is'the cutting blade F with its lower edge adapted to impinge on the surface of the table B and extending from the center to the periphery thereof, as in Fig. 1.

A cheese (not shown) may be placed on the table B being held firmly in position by the spurs c, d, e and f which project up from the surface of the table and adapted to project into the underside of the cheese.

Carried on the rear portion of the handle E, and preferably integral therewith, is the casing 4 of the computator which is positioned horizontal and parallel with the said handle, and with its interior space opening to the rear; a cap 5 is adapted to close said opening in the casing and it is adapted to be secured in position as shown by the pintles 6 and 6 shown in Fig. 5. A ournal aperture is formed centrally through the cap 5, and a socket corresponding therewith is formed in the baseof the interior of the casing, in which is revolubly mounted the shaft 7 which shaft projects out some distance beyond the cap 5, and on the outer end of said shaft is secured the turning-knob 8.

The numeral 9 denotes a cylinder of a diameter slightly less than is the diameter of the interior of the casing 4, and ofa length somewhat less than is the length of said aperture. Said cylinder is secured to the shaft 7 referably by reason of said shaft being driven centrally therethrough whereby said cylinder is mounted in the casing as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 1.

The numeral 10 denotes a fiat curved spring mounted on the shaft 7 and engaging the outer end of the cylinder 9 and the inner face of the cap 5, as indicated in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that after the cylinder is secured on the shaft and inserted in the casing that bringing the cap 5 to position will compress somewhat the spring 10 by which we provide a tension which will normally retain cylinder where left after being rotated by the knob 8.

Covering the periphery of the cylinder 9 is a tabular scale card 11 on which is tabulated twenty-six horizontal rows of numerals divided vertically, or circumferentially, into eight columns, all of the numerals and their relative positions being shown in Fig. 3. If desired said numerals may be attached directly to the periphery of the cylinder or otherwise exposed. The first column of figures in said tabular scale, being from 15 to 40, are for indicating the total weight of cheese; the second column, 30 to denote the number of half-pounds into which a cheese may be divided, and corresponding with certain of the graduations on the scale bar and determining the location for setting the 1/2-pound stop; and the remaining columns contain numerals corresponding with certain graduations on the scale-bar and determining the location for the five-cent stop according to the price per pound at which the cheese is to be sold.

Formed in the left-hand side of the casing 4 is an oblong horizontal aperture in which is fitted the face or dial 12, which dial may be a card or the like having a longitudinal central aperture or slot 13 therethrough, the length of said slot being the same as the combined width of the eight columns of numerals on the tabular scale, and said slot is slightly wider than is the height of either of said numerals. Above said slot are two inscribed spaces each of same width as are the first and second columns, respectively of the scale 11. In the first of said spaces is printed the words Cheese Weight, and in said second space is printed the following: 1/2 lb.. Extending to the right from the last named space are six smaller spaces corresponding to and of same Width as are the six columns on the right of said columns one and two of the scale 11 and in the six spaces last referred to are printed the following, from left to right: 15 16 17, 18, 19 and 20, respectively; and above these are the words Selling prices; below the slot 18 are printed in three horizontal lines the following: Turn to weight of cheese, Set 1/2 lb. stop at figure in 1/2 lb. column, and Set 50. stop at figure below selling price, respectively.

We desire that it be understood that the computer may be of a different type from that shown in the drawings, as for instance: The scale-card 11 may be made fiat, or in the arc of a circle, and a marker similar to the dial 12 may be arranged to slide thereover; and also the computer may be located at some other point than that shown, or it may be entirely separate from the cutter if de- .sired.

Operation: Should the stop 2 be moved to its limit to the right it would occupy the space between the point I) and H 30 and the lever C when not in operation should adjoin the point a at the left-hand end of the scalebar, and the gearing is such that if the lever C be moved from the point a to 30 and returned thirty times it would cause the table B to make one complete revolution.

The invention being constructed as set forth, and desiring now to employ our method of computation, then the cheese to be operated upon is first weighed,the weight of which, for instance, we will assume is thirty pounds. The handle E is then turned back and the cheese is rested centrally on the table B, after which the handle E is turned forward and down to the position shown in Fig. 1, which will cause the blade to make the first incision in the cheese extending from the center to the periphery thereof. Attention is now given to the computator by first complying with the directions on the dial 13, that is, first, Turn to weight of cheese, that is to say turn the knob 8 thereby turning the cylinder 9 and bring the successive rows of figures of the tabulated scale 11 into view through the slot 13 until the numeral 30, in this instance, in the first row of figures appears beneath the words Cheese weight of the dial; the next step is to follow the second. direction of the dial: Set the 1/2 lb. stop at figure in 1/2 lb. column.,which in this instance will be 60 as this is the number appearing under the 1 2 lb. space of the dial, the stop 2 is shown thus set in Fig. 2 of the drawings, andthe screw 2 is tightened to retain said stop, as it will not be necessary to again move this stop until this particular cheese is disposed of. Now observe the third direction on the dial: Set 50. stop at figure below selling price, assume for this instance that the selling price is to be twenty cents per pound, then we will observe that the numeral 120 in the last, or twenty cent columns, of the tabular scale 11 is exposed below 200. of the dial, therefore we set the stop 3 at 120 on the scalebar and secure it there by the screw 3. After the above, that is after the stops 2 and 3 have been set for a particular cheese, we have no further use for the computer as far as this particular cheese is concerned, unless it be desired to change the price of the cheese, and therefore it will make no difference as to the promiscuous displacement of the cylinder.

and back to point a, which will have turned the cheese sufficiently that when the blade is brought down it will sever just five-cents, worth of cheese, that is to say if this operation was repeated until the table had made a complete revolution it would result in dividing the cheese into one hundred and twenty pieces; or if one half-pound of cheese was desired then the lever C is moved from the point a to the stop 2, passing over in transit the stop 3, and then back to the point a, after which by lowering the blade a one half pound of cheese would be severed. It is also apparent that if one-pound of cheese was wanted then the lever C would be moved from the point a to the stop 2 and back to a the second time, and so on as desired, that is moving the lever C from the point a to the stop 2 and back to point a as many times as is wanted half-pounds of cheese.

The instance above given is only one of the many which may be used, the operation being very simple.

Having now fully shown and described our invention an d the best means for its construction to us known at this time, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In combination with a cheese-cutter having a table adapted to be rotated step-bystep by means of a lever, a scale-bar containing thereon a single series of graduations of constantly varying distances apart certain of which are indicated by characters, a half- 7 pound stop adapted to be secured to the scale-bar, a second stop adapted to be secured to the scalebar, a computer for determining by the weight and price per pound of a particular cheese the points where said stops should be secured to the scale-bar in order to gage the movements of said lever to produce the results desired, all substantially as set forth and for the purposes specified.

2. In a cheese-cutter, the combination, a revoluble table, a lever for actuating the IIO table, a scale-bar over which said lever operates, stops for limiting the movements of the lever, said stops being secured 011 the scalebar according to the weight, and the value per pound, of the cheese to be operated upon by the cutter, and a computer for determining the points where said stops should be secured, all substantially as set forth.

3. In a cheese-cutter, the combination, a revoluble table, means for actuating the table by a lever, a scale-bar over which the lever operates, a stop securable to the scalebar according to the Weight of a cheese in half-pounds, a second stop securable to the scale-bar according to the value of the cheese in twentieths of a dollar, and a computer for determining the points where said I stops should be set according to a particular cheese into predetermined parts, a rotatable table, a lever for actuating the table, a scalebar, stops for limiting the movements of the lever in one direction over the scale-bar, a computer independent of the scale-bar, for determining the location of said stops according to the total weight of a cheese and the price per pound for which it is to be sold, whereby the operation of the lever will space the cheese into fractions of a pound or l'racthe table, all substantially as shown and described.

6. In combination with a cheese-cutter or the like, a computer comprising a cylinder containing therearound columns of figures, the first column having figures denoting total weight of cheeses, the second column having figures denoting the number of half-pounds into which the weight opposite thereto in the first column may be divided, a plurality of other columns having figures denoting the number of pieces of a certain money value a cheese may be divided into according to the weight given in the first column and the price per pound at which the cheese is to be sold, and a dial for said computer providing indicator for each of said columns on the cylinder, all substantially as shown and described.

7. In combination with a cheese-cutter having a lever for rotating the cheese, a scalebar having a single scale thereon, a plurality of adjustable stops mounted on the scale-bar to limit the operation of said lever, and a computer for determining where said stops should be set according to the weight and the price per pound of a particular cheese, all substantially as shown and described.

8. In combination with a cheese-cutter having a lever for rotating a cheese, a single scale in connection with said lever, two independent stops each adapted to be secured over said scale to limit the operation of said lever in one direction, and means for computing the pointsfor setting said stops according to the weight of a cheese and the price per pound at which it is to be sold.

9. In combination with a cheese-cutter having a lever for turning a cheese step-bystep, a scale formed in the arc of a circle for said lever to operate over, stops adapted to be adjusted over said scale a computer, independent of said lever and scale, having i11- dices which are adapted to be brought into registering alinement with each other according to the total weight of a particular cheese and the price per pound at which the cheese is to be sold, which indices correspond to certain indices of said scale to denote the points where the stops should be set for a particular cheese as determined by said computer.

10. In combination with a cheese-cutter having a lever for turning a cheese, a single scale in conjunction with said lever, two independent stops adjustably mounted on said scale, means for allowing the lever to pass over one of said stops to engage the second stop beyond which it can not pass, a computer independent of the above for determining two distinct factors depending on the total weight of a cheese and the price per pound for which it is to be sold. which factors denote the points where said stops should be secured on said scale.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing wi tnesses.

JOHN A. SHUTZ. MADISON L. KIRKMAN.

WVitnesses:

R. E. RANDLE, ROBERT W. RANDLE. 

